BANGKOK, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's consumer confidence index (CCI) fell for the first time in eight months in March due to a slow economic recovery and higher energy prices, a survey showed on Wednesday.
According to the survey conducted by the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) of 2,244 respondents across the Southeast Asian country, the CCI inched down to 63.0 last month from 63.8 in February as all components of the index declined.
Consumers continued to worry about the performance of the Thai economy, high living costs and interest rates, as well as geopolitical tensions, the UTCC said in a statement.
Consumer sentiment could gradually improve as the government accelerates disbursement after a delayed fiscal budget was approved, said UTCC President Thanavath Phonvichai.
With the implementation of the government's stimulus packages aimed at boosting the property sector and consumer spending, the CCI is expected to significantly pick up in the second half of 2024, Thanavath told a news conference. ■